I don’t know about you, but I know I could use a good dose of “More Love—Less Fear.”
I am very thankful for all of the help God has given me, and for how far he has brought me when it comes to this subject; but things crop up every now and then that remind me that I haven’t arrived, nor will I fully arrive this side of Heaven! But, victory is sweet, my friend; and I want to continue with a forward march!!
The Bible tells us in Hebrews to “think of ways to motivate one another to love and good works.” (10:24) And, 1 John tells us, “That there is no fear in love…” and that “perfect love casts out fear.” (4:18) Regardless of the version of The Text you prefer, it sounds to me that love and fear simply don’t mix.
If I am operating in love, there isn’t much room for fear. If I am operating in perfect love, there is NO room for fear! On the other hand, if I am operating in fear (which I have done far too many times!!), true love is lost. Fear will hold you back from doing what maybe you know you need to do; to say; to express; and/or where you need to go.
Fear is a paralyzer.
If Daniel had let fear hold him back, he would have discontinued his prayers to avoid the lion’s den— or, at least, prayed more privately. Wouldn’t we have considered that? I mean, we’d STILL be praying, but in secret to keep ourselves safe.
If Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednegao had let fear hold them back, they would have bowed to avoid the fiery furnace. If memory serves me correctly, as a youngster, I thought something like, “Couldn’t they have bowed (bend down and pretend to bow) without actually worshipping the gold statue to avoid the furnace?” If they had, what would they have been communicating? I can tell you that by NOT bowing, they communicated love for The Father that overrode fear of harm, injury, and death itself.
“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”
1 John 4:18 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/1jn.4.18.nlt
If I am doing what the Bible says, by thinking of ways to motivate to love and good works, I will likely not be operating in fear or hatred of any sort. Again, fear and love are like water and oil, they don’t mix well— OR at all!
It took me a while to understand what The Bible meant by perfect love casting out fear. I couldn’t even see the relationship, but I now I have an analogy that gives better understanding…
If I am trusting my husband’s love, I am not living in fear that he will harm me or do anything against me. Why would trusting God be any different? If I fully trust (and love) Him, and have fully surrendered my life to His control…knowing that He loves me; wants to give me the desires of my heart; but ultimately trusting that He can see the whole ballgame and knows what’s best, then I have no need for fear.
There is much to fear when we think of this present life, so it’s a continual surrender of my life to Jesus Christ to live above it. One thing we must remember, is that we were made for eternity. This life is minuscule in comparison. It’s hard to imagine, sometimes, beyond this life because it is what we know. It’s what we strive for. That’s where faith steps in and reminds us that there is more beyond the present. Don’t get me wrong, I love my life! I love living here! I am SO thankful for His many blessings! I don’t, however, want to fail to keep my perspective on the fact that there is so much more to gain by accepting His love over fear— by spreading (or motivating) His love over fear.
If we are operating in fear, what are we communicating…
with what we do— or don’t do;
by what we say— or don’t say;
by where we go— or don’t go?
Is there even a chance that we are thinking of ways to motivate to love and good works?
Remember, fear is a paralyzer.
Let’s turn that around, and also, ask it to ourselves alone:
If I am operating in love, what am I communicating…
with what I do— or don’t do;
by what I say— or don’t say;
by where I go— or don’t go?
Are my actions motivating to love and good works BECAUSE of my love for The Father?
Because of Daniel’s faith, I am motivated to stay in His presence wherever I go and whatever I do.
Because of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I am motivated to stand firm in my faith even if I have to stand alone.
I want their contagious love— over fear.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
1 John 4:18 KJV
https://www.bible.com/1/1jn.4.18.kjv
Thank you Daniel, Shadrach, Meschach, and Abedngo for motivating me to love and good works.
Simply Celebrate With Jackie 